OBJECTIVETo investigate the route and scope of the facial nerve in the temporal region for clinical applications.

METHODSTemporal region dissection was performed on 12 cadavers (24 sides) under light microscope.

RESULTSThere are two branches of the facial nerve in the temporal region from the superior margin of the parotid: the temporal branch and the zygomatic branch. Each of them has two to five branches, which run in the deep layer of the superficial temporal fascia. The temporal branch crosses the zygomatic arch to the temporal region, innervating the frontal muscle, the orbicularis oculi muscle, the corrugator supercilii muscle, and the muscle surrounding the ear, etc. The zygomatic branch goes to the lateral canthus, innervating the orbicularis oculi muscle, the upper and lower eyelid and zygomatic muscles. There are communicating branches among the temporal branches, the zygomatic branches and the supraorbital and lacrimal nerves of the ophthalmic nerve.

CONCLUSIONThe temporal branches and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve run between the deep zone of the superficial temporal fascia and the superficial layer of the profound temporal fascia, where dissection should be avoided during rhytidectomy in order not to damage the facial nerve branches.

Cadaver ; Dissection ; Eyelids ; innervation ; Facial Muscles ; innervation ; Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Fascia ; innervation ; Humans ; Parotid Gland ; anatomy & histology ; Rhytidoplasty ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; innervation ; Temporal Bone ; Zygoma

There are several studies concerning branches of the facial nerve, but we encountered less information about the trunk of the facial nerve in the literature. During the routine dissection of a 65-yr-old Caucasian male cadaver, double facial nerve trunk emerged from the stylomastoid foramen and petrotympanic fissure were encountered. Because of an extremely rare variation, we presented this case report. In addition this cadaver had two buccal plexuses. These plexuses and other branches were formed to structures like to polygon. These anatomic peculiarities were described, photographed and illustrated. Finally, magnetic resonance imaging was performed by using 1.5T scanner to this cadaver. The facial nerve trunk can be damaged during surgical procedures of the parotid gland tumours and submandibular region. Surgeons who are willing to operate on this area should be aware of the possible anatomical variations of the facial nerve trunk.
Aged ; Cadaver ; Facial Nerve/*anatomy & histology/surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Parotid Gland/innervation ; Temporal Bone/*innervation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility, technique and significance of preserving the posterior branch of the great auricular nerve in parotid surgery.

METHODS48 cases with parotid tumor who underwent regular parotid surgery with cosmetic incision were included. The sensory testing was carried out in upper auricle, lobule, infra-auricular, pre-auricular and post-auricular region preoperatively and at 10 days, 1 month, 6 months and 12 months after operation.

RESULTSThe posterior branch of the great auricular nerve was preserved in 35 out of 48 patients. There was no sensory loss in the upper auricle and post-auricular region. Early after operation, sensory disturbance was found in lobule, infra-auricular region, but significantly in pre-auricular region. The sensory disturbance was recovered slowly to nearly normal level at six months after operation. 13 cases with sacrifice of the nerve had a significantly higher sensory disturbance and a longer recovery time.

CONCLUSIONSPreservation of the posterior branch of the great auricular nerve during parotid surgery is technically feasible and can reduce the postoperative sensory disturbance and possible permanent sensory loss. It further helps to improve the quality of life early after operation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ear, External ; innervation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parotid Gland ; innervation ; surgery ; Parotid Neoplasms ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect for local sensory to preserve great auricular nerve in the parotidectomy. METHOD: It was a prospective study. Eighy-one patients who underwent parotidectomy were randomly divided into 2 groups, preserving the great auricular nerve group and no preserving the great auricular nerve group. They were tested with the subjective and objective sensory function testing in 3, 6, 9, 12 months after operation. We assessed the result. RESULT: In the subjective sensory function testing, the result of the preserving the great auricular nerve group was better than no preserving the great auricular nerve group. In the objective sensory function testing, the result of the preserving the great auricular nerve group was obviously better than no preserving the great auricular nerve group. There was significant difference between the 2 groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION It was effective for recovering the sensory function that we preserved the great auricular nerve in the parotidectomy.
Ear, External ; innervation ; Humans ; Organ Sparing Treatments ; Otolaryngology ; methods ; Parotid Gland ; innervation ; surgery ; Parotid Neoplasms ; surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Sensation Disorders ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in displaying the parotid gland segments of the facial nerve.

METHODSSixteen volunteers (9 males and 7 females) and 132 surgically confirmed patients with parotid tumors locating in the deep or shallow lobe of the parotid gland (including 89 with benign and 43 with malignant tumors) underwent MRI using T1WI and T2WI. The transverse images were obtained with the plane tilted 35 degrees to the foot, and the coronal images were acquired using conventional scanning.

RESULTSOn transverse T1WI, the parotid gland segments of the facial nerve displayed low signal with arc-shaped curve in the cross-section, showing a symmetrical dot-like low signal in the coronal plane. The facial nerve in 63% of the patients with parotid tumors in the cross-section could be displayed, but in the coronal plane the proportion reached 83%. MRI could accurately reveal the position of the parotid tumors in the deep or shallow lobe of the parotid gland.

CONCLUSIONMRI can show the major portion of the parotid gland segments of the facial nerve and has important value in locating the parotid tumors and displaying the relationship between the tumor and facial nerve.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Facial Nerve ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parotid Gland ; innervation ; pathology ; Parotid Neoplasms ; pathology ; Young Adult